After the end of World War I, the United States enjoyed a decade of unparalleled prosperity. Then came the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and a decade of depression. World War II finished lifting the hard times caused by the depression, but created a whole new set of problems. Young men were sent overseas to fight, some never to return. Those at home grew victory gardens and endured rationing.
Tipton's fortunes and misfortunes paralleled the patterns in the rest of the country. The following article tells some of the highlights of these years:
In the 1920's, Tipton initiated several projects for community betterment. As Tipton grew, more and more people became involved in community interests. This resulted in the organization of the Chamber of Commerce in 1921. Also, a long needed park was prepared. Herbert L. Shaw landscape gardener of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, planned the park with the cooperation of the Mother's Club south of the Missouri Pacific station. In addition, there was much discussion on erecting a community building. In the March 11, 1921 issue of The Tipton Times, it states, "plans for the purchase of a lot for the community building are progressing nicely." One of the organizations created in the 1920's was the Tipton Tennis Club. The purpose of the club was to hold a tournament in the late summer with competition for prizes. Because of the community's interest in tennis, tennis courts were built on Ohio Street in 1929. And finally, for better protection of the community, the old hose cart and ladder were set aside; they were replaced by a new ton fire truck for the city.
With the increased use of automobiles there was a need for a better transportation system. An across-the-state highway was planned with three routes suggested: a northern, a southern, and a middle, the latter passing through Moniteau County. A bill passed by the Missouri House and Senate guaranteed to each county two cross-county highways of gravel or clay bound gravel connecting with like roads of surrounding counties." In the July 22, 1921 issue of The Tipton Times it states, "when this happens it can truly be said that Missouri has been lifted out of the mud." As for Tipton, in 1929 the city had almost three miles of paved streets. And if automobiles were not fast enough, airplanes were being manufactured in St. Louis. Tipton was considered as a possible site for one of the 19 landings to be made between St. Louis and Kansas City.
Another recent development was the radio. In July of 1922 Messrs. Houser and Schwickrath installed a radio in the H. & S. Store which attracted great interest. They were able to receive market reports, baseball scores, concerts from the Kansas City Star broadcasting station and speeches by prominent men. J.J. Brant was the first person in Tipton to install a radio outfit.
The businesses of Tipton were also growing with the expanding and varied interests of the community. Brent Peters converted the Hoehn building into an up-to-date playhouse in which to operate his picture shows. In 1922 Burt H. Weston built an ice plant adjoining the White Meat Plant on the west. The ice plant, with a ten-ton per day capacity, was supplied with water from a spring, which was used by the creamery in Tipton some 30 years ago. Later, an ice cream plant was established next to the ice plant.
Not earning profits, the Trader's Bank of Tipton, in order to protect the interests of its depositors and stockholders, closed August 1923. It turned its affairs over to the State Bank Commissioner for voluntary liquidation. According to The Tipton Times, "it is not probable any loss will be sustained."
With the growth of the 1920's Tipton suffered a shortage of resident houses. In addition, the number of vacant lots for building purposes was very limited.
From a business point of view in the 1930's, Tipton, according to The Tipton Times, "surpasses any town in Central Missouri for going forward." In February 1934 the Carter General Store was established, a branch of the V. & H. Carter Store at Fortuna. Frank Gerbes opened his modern department store in the Price James building. Also, the J.C. Collins drug store was important among the new business enterprises. Finally, a modern theater, costing $8,000 was built in the 1930's.
Other significant progress made by the community was the construction of a system of modern waterworks and sewers, begun in August 1934 and completed in 1935. Besides the improvement these projects made to Tipton, they also created employment for many men.
In the 1940's developments, the businessmen organized the Merchants Division of the Chamber of Commerce. By doing this, the merchants could get together and come to definite conclusions on problems having to do entirely with them. Shares were sold in the Tipton Fair Association and in April, 1947 Frank J. Gerbes petitioned the county court for incorporation of the Tipton Fair Association. Also, during this time, Moniteau County was one of nine counties in the state to benefit from the 1947 State Legislature's appropriation of $50,000 for free bookmobile library service beginning in September, 1947.
More progress was made in the 1940's to improve Tipton's streets. A number of Tipton's graveled roads were resurfaced with blacktop or asphalt. In 1947 Tipton had six miles of paved streets.
The new businesses during this time arose from a need to better serve the interests, particularly farming, of the community. A.C. Yoatz opened a hog
buying market in 1945. Swift's Farmers Market of Sedalia established a branch plant in Tipton where the Ross Studio was once located. Also, P.J. Knipp Jr. opened a new hardware store, Knipp Hardware. In October 1947 the Yontz Packing Plant opened for business. This meat-slaughtering house took 18 months of careful construction.
And, the Chamber of Commerce, thinking of the veterans who would be returning, ran a classified advertisement in three metropolitan newspapers for "Factory Wanted" to employ men. Optimistic, the organization was planning ahead for a progressive and expanding community.
Blind mare belonging to Thomas Hudson while standing in front of the Schwartz grocery store, Sat. afternoon attached to a buggy, became frightened, not at what he saw, but at the unseen and ran furiously and diagonally across the street coming in contact with the large plate glass in the front of the Tipton Motor Co. office, completely demolishing it, coming to an abrupt halt when striking her head against the west wall.